Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused,

been a brain

was speechless, […]

and nobody knew him?

Painter’s earlier message – [If anyone digs up anything about him, I’d appreciate a

aside and opened the book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The technical jargon was

pages with a

adage “learning never ends” couldn’t have been more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the

down

read on until 11:30 PM when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some sleep, dear.

good advice, nodded in

setting her alarm when a new message popped

[Lia, why are you asking about this Everard guy?]

Louie. She pondered for a moment before replying with the naked truth, (He’s my boyfriend]

response came quickly, No way. Is he

replied, [Yes, do you know

to deliberate for a full ten minutes before sending back a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real life.

keeping her distance? They hadn’t even been

replying. I can’t stay

thinking she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But how could she

she could decide, Louie replied, [Why?]

Louie understood her meaning. After a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because

Louie went silent.

but still no message. Was

returning, Cordelia found Louie’s response: I know. I’ll see your granddad about a treatment tomorrow, and we

He actually

widened with a glimmer of hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient

typed a single

set the phone down, dried her hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the sharp tone jarring in

recognizing Everard’s number. What could he

answered, and a familiar voice, more velvety

more appealing. She hesitated before finally speaking. “What’s up?”

his voice so soothing it seemed to caress the night